Silver has long been valued as a precious metal. Silver metal is used in many bullion coins, sometimes alongside gold. While it is more abundant than gold, it is much less abundant as a native metal. Its purity is typically measured on a per-mille basis a 94%-pure alloy is described as 0.940 fine. As one of the seven metals of antiquity, silver has had an enduring role in most human cultures.
The major use of silver most of history was in the manufacture of jewellery and other general-use items. And this continues to be a major use today.
Examples include table silver for cutlery. For which silver is highly suited due to its antibacterial properties. Most silverware is only silver-plated rather than made out of pure silver. The silver is normally put in place by electroplating.
Because pure silver is very soft, most silver used for these purposes is alloyed with copper. With finenesses of 925/1000, 835/1000, and 800/1000. One drawback is the easy tarnishing of silver in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and its derivatives. Including precious metals such as palladium, platinum, and gold gives resistance to tarnishing. But is quite costly. Base metals like zinc, cadmium, silicon, and germanium do not totally prevent corrosion. And tend to affect the lustre and colour of the alloy.
Serving pieces were often elaborately decorated and pierced and embellished with ivory. And could include any or all of the following: carving knife and fork, salad knife and fork, cold meat fork, punch ladle, soup ladle, gravy ladle. Casserole-serving spoon, berry spoon, lasagna server. Macaroni server, asparagus server, cucumber server, tomato server. Olive spoon, cheese scoop, fish knife and fork, pastry server. Petit four server, cake knife, bon bon spoon, salt spoon, sugar sifter or caster and crumb remover with brush.
Cutlery sets were often accompanied by tea sets, hot water pots, chocolate pots, trays and salvers, goblets. Demitasse cups and saucers, liqueur cups, bouillon cups. Egg cups, plates, napkin rings. Water and wine pitchers and coasters, candelabra and even elaborate centerpieces.
The interest in sterling silver extended to business (paper clips, mechanical pencils, letter openers, cigarette cases). And for the boudoir (dresser trays, mirrors, hair and suit brushes, pill bottles, manicure sets, shoehorns, perfume bottles). And even to children (cups, cutlery, rattles).
Silver is used as surgical and medical instruments as early as Hellenistic-era Egypt and Rome. It was replaced in Western countries in the mid to late 20th century by cheaper, disposable plastic items and sharper, more durable steel ones.
Due to sterling silver having a special acoustic character. Some brasswind instrument manufacturers use 92.5% sterling silver as the material for making their instruments, including the flute and saxophone. Leading saxophone manufacturers Selmer and Yanagisawa have crafted some of their saxophones from sterling silver.
Ullmann’s encyclopedia, Wikipedia
